5 Website Mistakes That Are Costing You Clients (and How to Fix Them)
Your website should be your hardest-working employee. It works 24/7, introduces your brand to new visitors, and guides potential clients toward booking your services or purchasing your products.
But here’s the problem: if your site isn’t designed strategically, it may actually be turning clients away.
The good news? Most website issues are fixable—and when you address them, you’ll see more conversions, better engagement, and a brand presence you can be proud of.
Let’s dive into the 5 most common website mistakes small business owners make (and how to fix them).
Mistake #1: Confusing Navigation
If your visitors can’t find what they’re looking for within a few seconds, they’ll leave. A cluttered menu, too many options, or poorly named pages confuse users—and confused users don’t convert.
The Fix:
Stick to 5–6 main menu items.
Use clear, simple labels (Home, About, Services, Shop, Contact).
Ensure your navigation appears well on mobile devices.
💡 Pro Tip: Add a clear “Book Now” or “Shop Now” button in the top navigation to guide people to the action you want them to take.
Mistake #2: No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
You’d be surprised how many websites never actually tell visitors what to do next. If your site doesn’t guide users toward booking, buying, or downloading, they’ll scroll aimlessly and bounce.
The Fix:
Add a primary CTA (Book Now, Shop Templates, Download Free Guide).
Repeat this CTA across your homepage, about page, and services.
Make buttons stand out with color and whitespace.
💡 Example: If you’re a coach, your homepage should guide people toward a discovery call or booking form—not leave them guessing.
Mistake #3: Overloaded Design (Too Much Going On)
We’ve all seen websites with flashing banners, mismatched fonts, and a rainbow of colors. Overwhelming design makes your brand look unprofessional—and it distracts from your message.
The Fix:
Choose 2–3 brand colors and 1–2 fonts.
Use whitespace strategically to make your content breathable.
Keep sections focused: one message, one CTA per block.
💡 Remember: Simple converts. A clean, minimal design communicates professionalism and helps clients focus on what matters—you and your services.
Mistake #4: Not Optimised for Mobile
Over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. If your website only looks good on desktop, you’re losing more than half your audience.
The Fix:
Test your site on multiple devices (phone + tablet).
Ensure buttons are large enough to tap easily.
Avoid text-heavy blocks that require endless scrolling.
💡 On Squarespace and Showit, mobile optimisation is built-in—but you still need to double-check spacing, images, and text alignment.
Mistake #5: Poor SEO Basics
Even the most beautiful website won’t bring in clients if no one can find it. Neglecting SEO means you’re missing free traffic from Google.
The Fix:
Add descriptive page titles and meta descriptions.
Use keywords naturally in headlines and copy (e.g., “Squarespace templates for coaches” instead of “homepage”).
Add alt text to images so search engines can understand them.
Write blog posts (like this one!) to bring in organic traffic.
💡 You don’t need to be an SEO expert—a few small changes can make a huge difference.
The Easy Solution: Start With a Strategic Website Template
Here’s the truth: most of these mistakes happen because small business owners try to DIY their websites from scratch. Without design or marketing knowledge, it’s easy to overlook strategy.
That’s why I created PLANNEAstudio templates—professionally designed Squarespace and Showit templates built to:
✔ Have clean, simple navigation.
✔ Include built-in call-to-actions.
✔ Look stunning on mobile.
✔ Be SEO-friendly out of the box.
Instead of spending weeks fixing mistakes, you can start with a foundation that’s already designed to convert.
👉 Browse the templates here and launch a high-converting website in days, not months.
Final Thoughts
Your website isn’t just an online brochure—it’s your digital storefront and the first impression many clients will have of your business. By avoiding these 5 mistakes and implementing the fixes, you’ll create a site that:
Attracts the right audience.
Guides visitors toward taking action.
Builds trust and authority in your niche.
And if you want the easiest path forward? Start with a website template that already has these strategies baked in.
✨ Ready to upgrade your online presence? Explore PLANNEAstudio templates and build a website that actually works for your business.
